String Of Child Shootings Cast Light On Texas’ Shocking Gun Violence

Five children were shot in four separate incidents over theweekend in Texas, highlighting a sobering statistic for a state already struggling with gun violence: Texas ranks first in the nation for unintentional shootings involving children.

Authorities said the spate of shootings included a 4-year-old boy who was shot and killed by his 5-year-old brother; a 6-year-old who was shot with a rifle by his adolescent brother; a 3-year-old who was possibly grazed by a bullet, an 8-year-old who sat on a semiautomatic handgun; and a 14-year-old girl who was reportedly being treated for injuries, according to CBS 11.

That’s a dangerous combo ― a report from Everytown estimates that one-third of youth suicides and unintentional deaths are prevented by securing guns properly.

“When firearms are left unsecured, the consequences can be deadly,” said Everytown Research Director Sarah Burd-Sharps.

In 2018, there were 25 unintentional shootings in Texas involving children who found a loaded firearm. With several months remaining in 2019, that number has already reached at least 24, according to Everytown’s #NotAnAccident index, which tracks unintentional shootings across the country.